In Effort Against David Weprin, NOM Props Up Rabbi Who Blamed Gays For Earthquakes

By

Carlos Santoscoy

|
September 13, 2011

The National Organization for Marriage
(NOM) continues in its attempt to make today's special election for
the Ninth Congressional District in New York about gay marriage.

NOM has recruited Rabbi Zachariah
Wallerstein to record a message to Jewish voters condemning
Democratic Assemblyman David Weprin's support for gay marriage and
urging voters to endorse Republican Bob Turner in today's special
election to replace former New York Rep. Anthony D. Weiner, who
resigned in June as a result of a sexting scandal.

“Hello, I am Rabbi Wallerstein and I
am calling to let you know that I am opposing David Weprin's campaign
for Congress in the 9th district,” Wallerstein is heard
saying in a NOM-sponsored robo-call. “David Weprin defied Jewish
law and betrayed our values by voting for same-gender marriage in New
York. Now he wants to be our representative in Congress? I say 'no'
to David Weprin. David Weprin abandoned Jewish teaching in New York
state; it's time for us to abandon David Weprin. Please, join me in
voting for Bob Turner for Congress on September 13.”

Wallerstein told Vos
iz Neias that he had “no political leanings whatsoever”
but wanted to make a statement against marriage equality.

“Why do you have an earthquake? The
retribution for the sin of homosexuality,” he said. “Earthquakes
are caused by homosexuality.” (The audio is embedded in the right
panel of this page.)

“Just check out the route of the
state that passed it,” he added. (It must be noted that Irene did
most of her damage in states where gay marriage is not allowed.)

Polls indicate that Turner is leading
in a district where more voters say marriage between members of the
same gender should be illegal.

Neither candidate, however, believes
the election hinges on social issues.

“This is simply a non-issue that some
are using to distract from what really matters to voters in Brooklyn
and Queens,” said Weprin Spokeswoman Elizabeth Kerr. “Turner's
plans to cut Medicare and Social Security, end middle-class tax
relief and protect loopholes that encourage companies to outsource
jobs,” are the issues in the campaign.

“For Bob Turner, this race continues
to be about the American economy, job-growth, and full support of
U.S. allies like Israel,” Turner
Spokesman Bill O'Reilly said. “Anything else is a distraction
from that focus.”